Filmcourage

Filmcourage
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Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 47min

Easiest Way To Avoid Writer's Block - Billy Van Zandt

Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd Billy Van Zandt and his writing partner, the late Jane Milmore, are two of the most often produced playwrights in the world. Billy and Jane met at a high school acting competition in their home state of New Jersey. Together for 46 years, they wrote and starred in 25 plays together. Billy's solo play "The Property Known as Garland" starring his ex-wife Adrienne Barbeau broke box office records at Off-Broadway's Actors Playhouse. The plays have been produced in thousands of theaters worldwide, including two productions directed by Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis ("Billy and Jane are funny, outrageous, off-the chart writers/performers") and one by film legend Burt Reynolds. For television, these award-winning writers have produced over three hundred hours of television comedy, including "Newhart;" "Martin," which won them a People's Choice Award; "The Hughley's," which won them a Prism Award;" "Suddenly Susan" for Brooke Shields; "Daddy Dearest" for Don Rickles and Richard Lewis; "Anything But Love" for Jamie Lee Curtis and Richard Lewis; "The Wayans Bros."; and "I Love Lucy: The Very First Show" which won them an Emmy nomination. As an actor, Billy made his film debut in "Jaws 2"; Billy lives in Los Angeles, when he's not touring the world in the last Van Zandt/Milmore musical, "The Boomer Boys Musical." BUY THE BOOK - BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY!: The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore https://amzn.to/3AaPam6 BUY THE BOOK - GET IN THE CAR, JANE!: Adventures in the TV Wasteland https://amzn.to/3AfFSFn CONNECT WITH BILLY VAN ZANDT https://vanzandtmilmore.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0888345 https://www.facebook.com/VanZandtMilmoreProductions https://x.com/billyvzandt MORE FILM COURAGE VIDEOS LIKE THIS Why Aren't People Watching Comedies Any More? - https://youtu.be/guATSXnE3g8 Hidden Tools For Writing A Comedy Screenplay - https://youtu.be/X5G0INWwQe4 Unbelievable Secret Behind 99% Of All Comedy - https://youtu.be/0FEmuUpeHrc The Formula For Writing A Great Comedy Script - https://youtu.be/A5iGXzZN0iM The Art and Craft Of Writing Comedy - https://youtu.be/XkqueJePFuw CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE http://www.FilmCourage.com http://twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://bit.ly/18DPN37 PERSONALLY SPONSOR FILM COURAGE https://ko-fi.com/filmcourage SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON https://www.patreon.com/filmcourage LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST https://soundcloud.com/filmcourage-com (Affiliates) ►BOOKS WE RECOMMEND: THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting https://amzn.to/2X3Vx5F THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take http://amzn.to/2gYsuMf SAVE THE CAT! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need https://amzn.to/3dNg2HQ THE ANATOMY OF STORY: 22 Steps To Becoming A Master Storyteller http://amzn.to/2h6W3va THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING - Lajos Egri https://amzn.to/3jh3b5f ON WRITING: A Memoir of the Craft https://amzn.to/3XgPtCN ►FILMMAKER STARTER KIT BLACKMAGIC Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - https://amzn.to/4gDU0s9 ZOOM H4essential 4-Track Handy Recorder - https://amzn.to/3TIon6X SENNHEISER Professional Shotgun Microphone - https://amzn.to/3TEnLiE NEEWER CB300B 320W LED Video Light - https://amzn.to/3XEMK6F AUDIO Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post https://amzn.to/425k5rG *Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
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Aug 14, 2025 • 59min

Pro Cinematographer Reveals 6 Truths About Cinematography - Suki Medenčević of New York Film Academy

BUY THE BOOKS - STORY QUESTIONS and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character https://payhip.com/StoryQuestions Watch the video version of this podcast here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMIFINOXhto 0:00 - What Beginning Cinematographers Should Know As They Get Started 10:09 - Pro Cinematographer Reveals The Truth About Cinematography 21:05 - Biggest Difference Between Bad Cinematography and Great Cinematography 30:01 - Most Common Mistake That New Cinematographers Make 38:56 - Pro Cinematographer On The Best Way To Learn Lighting 47:29 - If You Want To Be A Cinematographer This Is A Great Lesson Suki was born in Derventa, Bosnia and Herzegovina. While in high school he became interested in still photography but his real involvement in film started when he was accepted at The National Film School for Dramatic Arts, FDU, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. He continued his education at the renowned National Film School (FAMU), Prague, Czech Republic, where he earned his Master's Degree with Honors in cinematography. Shortly thereafter, he came to the USA to continue his professional career. He was involved in several high profile documentaries for Pixar, ILM, The Hearst Corporation, "The History of Imagineering" for Disney Studios being one of them. In 2024 he received "Jan Award" by ASBH for his cinematography at "Shining Vale" series. In 2010, he became a member of the American Cinematographers Society (ASC). In addition, for his academic achievements and contribution to the art of cinematography, he was awarded a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Arts. Suki is a proud father and husband and living and working in Los Angeles. CONNECT WITH SUKI MEDENCEVIC https://www.sukiasc.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0575530 https://www.instagram.com/sukimedeni/ Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA's global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts. CONNECT WITH NYFA https://www.nyfa.edu https://www.nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles/
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Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 20min

Why I Made A Tubi Movie Instead Of A Short Film - Jason Park

Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd 0:00 - If Movies Last Forever Why Is Hollywood Dying? 14:00 - Real Advice For Anyone Who Wants To Make A Movie 24:55 - Why I Made A Tubi Movie 37:02 - Why I Can't Make Short Films 48:03 - If You Are Feeling No Progress With Your Art, This Is What Worked For Me 58:09 - Why Don't More Storytellers Break The Rules 1:07:39 - Hollywood Is Sitting On A Goldmine... And They Aren't Doing Anything About It Jason Park is an accomplished Director, Producer, Writer, Actor, and Cinematographer. Living in Atlanta, GA with a background in both acting and narrative filmmaking. Jason was raised on the Big Island of Hawai'i. After finishing high school, he moved to Los Angeles California, where he found his passion for videography, acting, and filmmaking. He began booking commercials and print work for companies like Apple, Samsung, McDonald's, Subway, and the list goes on. He's been in films with actors such as Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect), Ross Butler (Shazam) Christian Serratos (Selena), David Oyelowo (Gringo), and Evan Ross (The Hunger Games). After appearing in films, commercials, and print campaigns. The actor decided to passionately work on breaking barriers for Asian-American actors, directors, writers, and creators in American Cinema. Leading him to create films with Asian leads in non Asian stereotypical roles. CONNECT WITH JASON PARK https://hypatude.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2949515 CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE http://www.FilmCourage.com http://twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage https://www.facebook.com/filmcourage https://www.instagram.com/filmcourage http://filmcourage.tumblr.com http://pinterest.com/filmcourage SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://bit.ly/18DPN37 PERSONALLY SPONSOR FILM COURAGE https://ko-fi.com/filmcourage SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON https://www.patreon.com/filmcourage LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST https://soundcloud.com/filmcourage-com (Affiliates) SCRIVENER FREE TRIAL https://tinyurl.com/43uuumc6 ►WE USE THIS CAMERA (B&H) – https://buff.ly/3rWqrra ►WE USE THIS SOUND RECORDER (AMAZON) – http://amzn.to/2tbFlM9 Stuff we use: LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - http://amzn.to/2tbtmOq AUDIO Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post https://amzn.to/425k5rG Audio Recorder - If we had to do it all over again, this is probably the first item we would have bought - https://amzn.to/3WEuz0k LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - http://amzn.to/2u5UnHv *Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
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Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 59min

Top 7 Lessons For Anyone Thinking About Publishing A Comic Book - Stephen L Stern

BUY THE BOOKS - STORY QUESTIONS and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character https://payhip.com/StoryQuestions Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ysdEuX2FU Stephen L. Stern is the president of Storyboard Graphic Novels. Steve is best known as the creator/writer of the indie comic-book Zen Intergalactic Ninja that has sold over three million comics and graphic novels and been licensed for video games, action figures and numerous other products. He is also the creator of Shygirl and Frickin' Butt-Kickin' Zombie Ants, and the author of Beowulf: The Graphic Novel and the A Christmas Carol Graphic Novel, both published by the UK’s Markosia. His other works include Alien Hero, a collection of novellas and stories about Zen, and the upcoming Majestic Comics Graphic Novel. Stern is a native of New York and former advertising agency president with clients including Johnson & Johnson, Rosenthal China and The Singer Company. He lives in Los Angeles, where he launched Storyboard Graphic Novels in 2011, working with several of his longtime friends and associates—who just happen to be some of the highest-profile artists and writers in the industry today. BUY THE BOOK - A Christmas Carol (A graphic novel) https://amzn.to/41A6mL2 CONNECT WITH STEPHEN L. STERN https://storyboardgraphicnovels.com
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Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 37min

I've Sold A Dozen Screenplays... Here's What I've Learned - Jason-Shane Scott

Our two new books are helping writers with their stories... STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd 0:00 - 'One Life To Live' Made Me Believe It Was Possible To Have A Career In Hollywood 16:59 - I Was Never Going To Sell A Screenplay If I Didn't Learn This 25:46 - The Cheat Code I Use To Develop Screenplay Ideas 34:51 - Pro Screenwriter Advice On Finding Work 44:32 - If You Want To Sell A Screenplay... Here's What You Need To Know 58:46 - How To Write A Great Thriller 1:08:46 - 9 Act Story Structure For Romantic Comedy Movies 1:20:08 - How To Write A Meet Cute For Rom-Coms 1:28:10 - True Story Behind Video Game Character Jackson Caine (CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6) With a career spanning over two decades, Jason-Shane Scott has become a dependable and recognizable name in the entertainment industry worldwide, amassing over 85 professional film and television credits. His versatility as an actor spans a broad range of genres-from drama, where he has starred in countless thrillers, to comedy, embracing roles from sitcoms to lighthearted Christmas rom-coms. Jason's journey began in daytime television, where his role as Will Rappaport on One Life to Live earned him two Soap Opera Digest Award nominations and a Daytime Emmy nod. Jason-Shane has also quickly made a name for himself as a versatile and dependable screenwriter in Hollywood, seamlessly transitioning from a successful acting career into writing. In just a few years, he has achieved an impressive level of success, having written over 15 produced films with several more in development-a testament to his talent and work ethic. Scott's filmography covers a wide range of genres, including thrillers, romantic comedies (from festive Christmas favorites to heartwarming everyday tales), and psychological dramas. His films have reached audiences across nearly every continent, from South America to Europe, Asia, and beyond, finding homes on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Max. Notably, Staged Killer, which he wrote and produced, earned him a Telly Award and held the number one spot on Netflix in America for over two weeks in 2020. MORE VIDEOS WITH JASON-SHANE SCOTT https://tinyurl.com/4mj4969h CONNECT WITH JASON-SHANE SCOTT https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0779292
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Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 32min

Write And Sell Your Screenplay Like A Pro Screenwriter - Mike Thompson

Want to watch the video version of this podcast? Check it out on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkLXkS6rfns Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd 0:00 - True Story Behind One Of The Biggest Screenplay Sales In History 15:37 - This Is The Story I Tell New Screenwriters 26:32 - What I Finally Understand About The Screenwriting Business 20 Years Later 36:44 - Why The Logline Is The Most Important Part Of The Screenwriting Process 47:37 - Difference Between A Hollywood Movie Idea And One That Isn't Good Enough 58:42 - If You Don't Cry While Writing A Screenplay... Throw It Away 1:10:06 - Truth About The First 10 Pages Of A Screenplay 1:19:57 - How A Screenplay Sale Actually Works Mike Thompson is a veteran Hollywood writer/producer, perhaps best known for his feature films, Dragonfly, starring Academy Award-winner, Kevin Costner, and Love Happens, featuring Emmy-winner Jennifer Aniston. He also co-created and was a showrunner of the FOX television series, John Doe, starring Dominic Purcell, and co-wrote and produced the indie horror film, Choose, starring Academy Award-nominee, Bruce Dern. In the documentary realm, he executive produced the multi-award-winning feature, A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar, and appears as himself in the cult classic award-winner, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. In addition to his produced credits, he is uniquely distinguished for having written and sold dozens of high-profile spec scripts, pitches and teleplays to nearly every major Hollywood studio, including multiple seven-figure deals and at one point, the “highest-paying scripter deal ever" ~ Variety. He has collaborated on projects involving the likes of Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Will Smith, Edie Falco, Chris Pine, Michael Keaton, Richard Gere, Academy Award-winning director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump), and presently, blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun: Maverick). Upon graduation from film school at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Mike began his career at Paramount Pictures, where he worked as an assistant to Academy Award-winning producer, Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men), and subsequently for legendary producer, Larry Gordon (Field of Dreams), who set up Mike’s very first spec script sale at Walt Disney Studios. Mike lives and works in the mountains outside of his hometown of Seattle. MORE VIDEOS WITH MIKE THOMPSON https://tinyurl.com/5bk7st83 CONNECT WITH MIKE THOMPSON https://themissilesite.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0860513
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Jun 3, 2025 • 2h 6min

7 Reasons Why Most People Will Never Make A Movie - Bill Mikita

Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd Bill Mikita was born in Steubenville, Ohio, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Brewer’s Boys, Chasing 3000 (2010) and Medal of Honor: American Heroes. He has been married to Pattie White Mikita since February 25, 1978. They have four children. Watch the video version of this podcast here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JspWoWI7t6A MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS 99% Of Screenwriters Make This Mistake When They Begin - https://youtu.be/8-_5tw7hoh4 Learning Screenplay Story Structure - https://youtu.be/iywvNIWKbPI 21 Ways To Structure A Screenplay [WRITING MASTERCLASS] - https://youtu.be/OPxxJ2wBNTA Free Story Structure Training - https://youtu.be/gDXp6_2AVYc Solve Your Story Structure Problems In 11 Steps - https://youtu.be/RPGTIqHBmUE SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON https://www.patreon.com/filmcourage LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST https://soundcloud.com/filmcourage-com (Affiliates) ►WE USE THIS CAMERA (B&H) – https://buff.ly/3rWqrra ►WE USE THIS SOUND RECORDER (AMAZON) – http://amzn.to/2tbFlM9 Stuff we use: LENS - Most people ask us what camera we use, no one ever asks about the lens which filmmakers always tell us is more important. This lens was a big investment for us and one we wish we could have made sooner. Started using this lens at the end of 2013 - http://amzn.to/2tbtmOq AUDIO Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post https://amzn.to/425k5rG Audio Recorder - If we had to do it all over again, this is probably the first item we would have bought - https://amzn.to/3WEuz0k LIGHTS - Although we like to use as much natural light as we can, we often enhance the lighting with this small portable light. We have two of them and they have saved us a number of times - http://amzn.to/2u5UnHv *Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
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May 20, 2025 • 1h 44min

A Hollywood Insider's Look At Marketing Hits And Flops - Jim Fredrick

Our new book... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLDnAbYRjWQ 0:00 - Hollywood Insider Reveals The Truth About Selling Movies For A Living 14:07 - Why The Greatest Movie Of All Time... Was A Box Office Failure 27:36 - There Was A Time When Studios Wanted To Make The Best Movies Possible 41:11 - Hollywood Insider Says This Is Still The Best Way To Market A Movie 51:46 - Former Studio Executive Explains Why Movie Trailers Sometimes Reveal Everything 1:07:15 - How I Became Stanley Kubrick For One Week 1:16:30 - How Marketing Can Save A Movie 1:30:01 - Former Studio Executive's Advice On Selling A Movie BUY THE BOOK - OPENING WEEKEND: An Insider's Look at Marketing Hollywood's Hits and Flops https://amzn.to/3APylgR After starting his career in 1983 as a trailer editor and producer at famed advertising boutique Intralink, Jim Fredrick went on to serve as president of marketing at Castle Rock Entertainment, senior vice president of creative advertising at Warner Bros. and executive vice president of marketing at Sony Screen Gems. In 2011, he founded his own company, Jim Fredrick Motion Picture Marketing. Across a span of 35 years, Fredrick’s roles as a trailer maker and studio executive allowed him to craft advertising campaigns for a range of movies, from such iconic cinematic gems as The Shawshank Redemption to the widely beloved Harry Potter franchise. He has helped produce more than 196 film marketing campaigns. His memoir, Opening Weekend, explores the intricacies of the lesser-known business of film distribution and marketing, unraveling the complex mechanisms through which movies are sold to discriminating audiences. Replete with triumphs, setbacks, and the relentless spirit that drives the creation and promotion of cinematic masterpieces, Opening Weekend promises an enthralling glimpse into the previously untold world of Hollywood movies. CONNECT WITH JIM FREDRICK https://www.chapman.edu/our-faculty/jim-fredrick
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May 9, 2025 • 1h 16min

How I Turned My Life Around: Stunt Man To Hollywood Screenwriter - Sammy Horowitz

New Film Courage book... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 0:00 - I Used To Read A Book A Day 17:10 - How Stunt Work Saved My Life 30:36 - 3 Things That Helped Me Become A Hollywood Screenwriter 41:16 - How Writing A Stage Play Changed My Life 58:59 - Why Beginning Screenwriters Don't Need An Agent 1:07:07 - Why Building A Writing Career Is Much Tougher Than Getting A SAG Card Sammy Horowitz is an award winning action-actor, stuntman, playwright, and screenwriter from Chicago. Before moving to Hollywood, Sammy was a bouncer and doorman at nightclubs, an M.M.A. fighter, and eventually a full-time professional boxer who fought all over the country. Sammy is one of the only known stuntmen who has went on to write on television. His play, Musket and the Rat premiered in January 2020. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actor Sari Sanchez.
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Apr 30, 2025 • 2h 35min

How To Write A Movie In 21 Days - Viki King

Our new book STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 Best-selling author and film consultant Viki King is a leading advisor to luminaries in the entertainment industry. Known for her warmth, and humor she appears often on CNN, NBC, ABC, BBC, as well as in hundreds of radio interviews. She has quick, insightful answers for people’s everyday dilemmas. BUY THE BOOK - How To Write A Movie In 21 Days: The Inner Movie Method https://amzn.to/3xob1Vh MORE VIDEOS WITH VIKI KING https://tinyurl.com/bdfpu9da CONNECT WITH VIKI KING https://www.vikiking.com

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